Media Conversion

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Dear Media experts:
I have a conundrum that perhaps someone can answer. Years ago I made a number of videos using a VHS-C cassette recorder, now I would like to turn those analogue videos into digital videos to be able to watch on my PC screen.
I obtained a VHS player combined with a DVD recorder/player, this I managed to use to dub the analogue videos into digital videos on a DVD, after being asked to format the DVD, the DVD is formatted and the dubbing commences. On completion that DVD will play in the player.
However this is the issue: if I then transfer the DVD into my “D” drive, the PC will not/cannot read that there is a disk in it or on another PC it stated that the DVD is not recognized.
To me it appears that I need some sort of CoDec to be able to at least recognize the DVD and then play the DVD – but as I cannot find the DVD format anywhere, I am totally lost. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Bruno Terlingen.

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Bruno,

Finalize (optical discs)

Finalizing (also spelled finalising) an optical disc is the process of writing out support data such as DVD menus, directory data, and the like to an optical disc in order to make it playable on a system other than the one it was recorded on. As a general rule, finalization means that the disc cannot have any additional data written to it. It is the last step in the DVD authoring process.

The term is also used as an alternative word for the “closing” of a CD-R, in which Table of Contents data and the like are written out to enable the computer to read a CD. Like DVD finalization, a closed CD-R cannot receive any additional data.
Wikipedia

So you need to look in the instructions for your DVD/VCR to see how to get this done.

HTH

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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G’day Sir, perhaps I did forget to mention that indeed the DVD on completion does “Finalize” the disk, however the DVD will not be read/recognised by Windows 10.

Alex, are you saying that once I install Handbrake, the Win 10 OS will then be able to play the DVD on the computer? Please reply.

I downloaded some “genuine” Windows media suit, but the caused all sorts of issues and I had to restore to a previous update – hence I am a bit wary.

Bruno.

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WSBruno Terlingen wrote:

Dear Media experts:
I have a conundrum that perhaps someone can answer. Years ago I made a number of videos using a VHS-C cassette recorder, now I would like to turn those analogue videos into digital videos to be able to watch on my PC screen.
I obtained a VHS player combined with a DVD recorder/player, this I managed to use to dub the analogue videos into digital videos on a DVD, after being asked to format the DVD, the DVD is formatted and the dubbing commences. On completion that DVD will play in the player.
However this is the issue: if I then transfer the DVD into my “D” drive, the PC will not/cannot read that there is a disk in it or on another PC it stated that the DVD is not recognized.
To me it appears that I need some sort of CoDec to be able to at least recognize the DVD and then play the DVD – but as I cannot find the DVD format anywhere, I am totally lost. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Bruno Terlingen.

Have you tried opening the DVD with VLC, MPC-HC ?
What OS are you running ? Windows 10 doesn’t support media DVD.

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Alex5723 wrote:

Have you tried opening the DVD with VLC, MPC-HC ?
What OS are you running ? Windows 10 doesn’t support media DVD.

Edit : You can use the free (and best) media converter, Handbrake, to convert the DVDs to MKVs..

https://www.wikihow.com/Rip-Dvd-Movie-to-Mkv-by-Handbrake

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Bruno,

To play dvd’s with windows 10, you need a media player.  I use VLC media player.

https://www.videolan.org/vlc/index.html

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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Dear Sirs, I have VLC and 5K Player, however the problem is that the PC does not recognise the drive, it asks after a while to put a CD into the slot.

I have opened several media players and tried to open a file from within that program, but as the PC itself does not recognise the DVD, the program has nothing to go on.

Again, the DVD plays in the DVD player.

Bruno.

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I had a similar problem. I transferred VHS to DVD-RW disks. At the time I didn’t know different DVD players and different disks (DVD-RW/DVD+RW) didn’t work the same.

While I could view my disk recording using the DVD player and my TV, my PC acted like there were no DVD disk in the drive.

My E:\ drive is the CD/DVD player drive. Opening MyPC and right clicking on

E:\ > Properties, showed 0 contents.

I also got the same warnings you received. (insert DVD/CD)

Depending on the manufacture of your DVD player and if your recording needs to be “Finalized” (DVD-RW for instance) or not for the PC to read, is what I would be looking at. Apparently, a  -RW DVD disk needs finalization on the DVD player after recording on it to be viewed on a PC.

Reading this Video forum thread might help, same issue.

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/354277-Finalize-DVDRW

No wonder we needed a teenager to reset the Time on the VCR!

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Do other DVDs work in this drive?  If so, the type of disk  (DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R or DVD+RW) might not be compatible with the PC’s DVD player.  If not, it could be a hardware problem.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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Dear People who posted: the DVDs I use are DVD+R.

Yes, these DVDs are “finalised”, just as they are “formatted” at the beginning of the transfer session.

The PC does read other CDs, and DVDs.

The PC does not recognise that there is a disk in the slot.

The slot just keep turning and turning, but nothing shows up.

I am still no further along the path of enlightenment.

Open to all suggestions.

Bruno Terlingen

 

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Reading other disks rules out hardware failure.  Maybe try recording using a DVD – R disk.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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Miedman, I hear you, the issue is that I can try all 278 versions of CDs  and DVDs, but surely there must be a work-around.

We have three (3) other PCs and they all display the same signs: not reading the “D” drive.

The best solution would be to play the VHC-C in the player, outputting directly to the PC’s hard drive, but there again I have seen no references.

So much for technology integration!

Bruno Terlingen

 

 

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This from Lifewire   https://www.lifewire.com/different-types-of-dvd-recorders-2482957

The main difference between the DVD+R and DVD-R formats is the technique used to determine the location of data on the disc. DVD-R discs use “land prepits,” which are little marks on the grooves of the disc, to determine the laser position. DVD+R discs don’t have land prepits; instead, they measure the “wobble frequency” as the laser processes the disc.

Your DVD drive determines which type of media to use, so make sure to match the type of disc you buy with what your DVD drive supports. But as we’ve mentioned, today most drives are “hybrid drives” that will support either format.

I do think that DVD-R’s have a fair chance of working.

If not, you can output the VHS player to the PC and record using it’s drive, which may (or may not) work in the DVD player.  Technology, making life easy

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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mledman wrote:

I do think that DVD-R’s have a fair chance of working

There are 2 things to remember with burning DVDs :
1. Finalize the DVD.
2. DVD regions. DVD drives in laptops are usually locked to a region. DVD burned with other regions won’t work.
In the past there were cracking apps to convert DVD drives to region free.

1 user thanked author for this post.

mledman

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Mr Miedman, surely the knowledge of what the CD/DVD drive on a PC will take would be common knowledge. I appreciate your explanation of the differences in the DVD technology.

As I do not know what the CD/DVD drive on a PC will take, I cannot match the requirement: sure I could copy the VHS contents on different DVD type of disks and try them in the PC and that may in the end be the only solution, but my gut tells me that it will be a hiding to nowhere.

If I can output the VHS contents directly to the PC, that is, play the VHS and record onto the HDD, I can bypass the CD/DVD aspect altogether. How to do that is another question.

Alex, my understanding about Regions is that this aspect only applies to commercially available CD/DVDs, that is, a movie produced by say Sony/MGM and then sold throughout the world with different Regional “markings”.

As mentioned previously: once the dubbing process is completed the disk are finalised.

Bruno Terlingen.

 

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If you know the make and model of your PC’s DVD player, an online search should find what format(s) the player uses.  The user manual for your VHS / DVD combo should do the same.  DVD-R is the most universal recordable DVD format.

If your PC has video and audio inputs, you could as Alex5723 suggests

You can use the free (and best) media converter, Handbrake, to convert the DVDs to MKVs..

https://www.wikihow.com/Rip-Dvd-Movie-to-Mkv-by-Handbrake

and store your videos on the PC’s hard drive.  If your PC’s  DVD drive can write disks, you should be able to use it to create a DVD.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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Mre Miedman.

These are the specifications of the optical drive, taken by a program called Speccy:

Optical Drives
HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GH82N ATA Device
Media Type DVD Writer
Name HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GH82N ATA Device
Availability Running/Full Power
Capabilities Random Access, Supports Writing, Supports Removable Media
Read capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL
Write capabilities CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL
Config Manager Error Code Device is working properly
Config Manager User Config FALSE
Drive D:
Media Loaded FALSE
SCSI Bus 0
SCSI Logical Unit 0
SCSI Port 2
SCSI Target Id 0
Status OK

When I place a different DVD into the PC (different to the ones that I dubbed), I get the following display:

Yes, the PC does have audio input, I don’t know about input, but even so: what format will the transfer/dubbing be? Using handbrake or any other program would surely be used AFTER the transfer.

Bruno Terlingen.

 

 

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It does not appear to display the display: the PC asks me if I would like this media to be used as a USB or as a DVD.

Bruno Terlingen.

 

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Speccy is showing the driver (software) for the PC’s DVD player can use virtually all DVD formats.   It is not known what format(s) the hardware (DVD player) can use. The screen shots are asking how you want to write to the disk, like a USB drive or to play in a different DVD player.

I have not tried to record video with a PC’s DVD player or convert a DVD to another format to save on a hard drive so I am not much help with these questions.

I would still try dubbing one tape using a DVD-R disk.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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Thank you Mr Miedman, it baffles me that this issue is not being addressed by more forum members, surely this is not an isolated instance, this issue must crop up on a regular basis and there must be an answer somewhere.

I will try to use different DVDs if I can find single ones rather than by packets of 30 as they are sold here.

Bruno Terlingen

 

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WSBruno Terlingen wrote:

Thank you Mr Miedman, it baffles me that this issue is not being addressed by more forum members, surely this is not an isolated instance, this issue must crop up on a regular basis and there must be an answer somewhere.

I’ve worked with a ton of CD/DVD drives and even owned a dual-deck VHS recorder, but I’ve never heard of the combo unit you have. I’ll bet a lot of us are in the same boat.

Have you mentioned the exact brand & model number of this combo unit yet so that someone might be able to locate documentation for it and offer assistance?

I second the thought expressed by the anonymous poster above – your combo unit may well be using a proprietary format that can’t be read elsewhere. Have you ever successfully played a DVD created by this device anywhere other than on the original device?

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[Alex5723]

mledman wrote:

If you know the make and model of your PC’s DVD player, an online search should find what format(s) the player uses.

The is an app to check CD\DVD drive format support and region : Nero Info Tool.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by Alex5723.

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Thank you Alex, I have used Nero many decades ago, found it useful then, however I do not think that region has anything to do with this issue – this is a compatibility issue.

Bruno Terlingen

 

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Having read through this thread, I would suggest doing as others have suggested, and find a friend or someone who can give you a single DVD-R to use for burning your video to. Once the disk is finalized in the VHS player/DVD recorder, try viewing it on a couple of different computers.

If they all still say the same thing (not recognizing you’ve put a disc in the optical drive in the first place) then I’m afraid your player/recorder may very well be using a proprietary format under the assumption you’ll only be viewing the discs you make with it on its own DVD burner/player side rather than using another device. If that’s the case, I’d go looking through the user manual for the device to see if there are any settings you can change so that it burns the DVD in a format that’s readable by other devices.

As far as the use of Handbrake goes, it will work if you can find a way to get the videos from the player/recorder to your computer’s hard drive to begin with. As you’ve already mentioned, that may involve some rather unusual cabling and/or hardware arrangement between the two devices.

Here’s hoping that using a DVD-R works for you!

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Ok, thank you gents for your input;

Here are some details:

1 – I have been given this unit by a friend on loan, as such I am not familiar with it, but the functions are basic.

2 – The unit is called: LG, “Digital & Analog DVD recorder/VCR player combi”

3 –  there is a number which may mean something to someone: RC689D, below the above description.

4 – I have read what it can records onto, and it appears to be most of the formats that we are all familiar with.

5 – There is no specific mention of reading DVDs in PCs.

6 – Attached are three (3) pages that may have more meaning to others and thus your may be able to give me deeper insight.

Bruno Terlingen.

VHS-to-DVD-dubbing

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[mledman]

RC689D is the model number.  On page 59 of the owners manual:

Most regular DVD players can play finalized discs
recorded in Video mode, finalized DVD+R or
DVD+RWs. A small number of players can also play
DVD-RW discs recorded in VR mode, finalized or
not. Check the manual that came with the other
player to check what formats of discs it will play.
Finalizing ‘fixes’ the recordings and editings in place
so that the disc can be played on a regular DVD
player or computer equipped with a suitable DVD ROM
drive.

On page 31, format disk options, I think you should use “video mode” instead of “VR mode” and turn disk protect to “off”.  DVD-R  only allows video mode.  It is not clear how the option will appear or what the default is with DVD+R disks.

Now I understand why the DVD’s have to work in your PC’s  and not wanting to buy a 30 pack of disks on the chance they might work.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by mledman.

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Thank you @Mledman, at present (due to the silly season) I do not have access to DVD-R.

When next I dub, I will certainly check the options, though the remote has two buttons high-lighted; one is DVD, the other VCR. I have been using the VCR button to commence the dubbing process. next I will use the DVD button and see what happens.

I have not seen a disk-protect message on any of the menu screens.

I can well understand why Microsoft and others have totally abandoned the CD/DVD saga, along with Blue Ray and other rays.

I will get back to you and others, but it will not be for another week, so please hang in there.

Bruno Terlingen

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WSBruno Terlingen wrote:

I have been using the VCR button to commence the dubbing process.

This is the correct process (page 60).

WSBruno Terlingen wrote:

I have not seen a disk-protect message on any of the menu screens.

The initialize menu should appear when you insert a blank DVD.  The manual (page 31) is unclear what options (if Any) will be offered when using a DVD+R.  If they appear, the options are:  disk format, finalize, disk label and disk protect.  Disk format is where you would choose video mode or VR mode.  Disk protect toggles on or off.

Win 11 home - 24H2
Attitude is a choice...Choose wisely

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[Alex5723]

WSBruno Terlingen wrote:

Thank you Alex, I have used Nero many decades ago, found it useful then, however I do not think that region has anything to do with this issue – this is a compatibility issue.

Bruno Terlingen

 

The app also checks CD\DVD media type compatibly with (DVD-R/W, DVD+R/W… ) of the DVD drive installed.

There are many solutions for direct VHS to PC/Mac files converters :

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=vhs+to+digital+video+converter&hvadid=177342349352&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061268&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=5099861965457540523&hvtargid=kwd-5486452043&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_1xca1mqod9_b

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by Alex5723.

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Mr Miedman, when it asks to format, I am not given an option as to whether I use video mode or VR mode, but I will take a special look before I hit the OK button prior to formatting taking place.

Thank Alex, I will look closely at the link to see if this can be done in our situation.

Bruno Terlingen

 

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I had a good look Alex and this seems the way forward: https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-VC500-digital-converter-Software/dp/B000VM60I8/ref=sr_1_8?hvadid=177342349352&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061268&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=b&hvrand=5099861965457540523&hvtargid=kwd-5486452043&keywords=vhs+to+digital+video+converter&qid=1577400827&sr=8-8

It should save me a bundle on DVDs and of course a bundle of time. I shall check out all the cables and see if they are the same.

Bruno Terlingen

 

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Just to update you: I have bought a 4K HDMI to USB 3.0 Video Capture Card Dongle 1080P 60fps Video Recorder AC2073 from eBay for about $90 Au. I will let you know how it works once it gets here and I have completed several VHS transfers.

Bruno Terlingen.

 

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